Tuesday, December 7, 2010

That coconuts are one of the wonder foods on earth that amply providesfor all human needs? They can even save your life!

Few people (even fewer doctors) understand how important the coconutis to stabilizing blood sugar; lowering cholesterol; healing;hydration; and even replacing blood plasma in an emergency.

Referred to as kalpa vriksha (Sanskrit for "the tree that supplies allthat is needed to live") in ancient India, the coconut palm has beenrecognized as a top immune booster, antifungal,antibiotic, antiviraland antibacterial remedy for thousands of years all over the world.Yet, it has only been recently that modern researchers have begun tofully discover the massive health benefits this amazing fruit seedoffers.

To give just one example of coconuts' live-saving properties, theywere used extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Since bloodplasma supplies were scarce, it was very common for medics to siphonpure coconut water from young coconuts to be used as emergency plasmatransfusions for soldiers who were injured. Since coconut water isnearly identical to human blood, it was suitable for people of allblood types.

Considered one of the most treasured foods of all time, coconutproducts -- including coconut flesh, coconut water, coconut oil, andcoconut cream -- each deliver superb health benefits.

Coconut oil, for instance, is considered the best and safest oil touse for cooking -- even superior to extra virgin olive oil when itcomes to giving the body what it needs for optimum health. Unlikeother fats and oils that we typically use for cooking and baking,coconut oil does not form polymerized oils or dangerous Trans fattyacids in our bodies, which can raise our cholesterol levels; clog ourarteries and even make our skin sag and wrinkle. Plus, this ultra-safeoil can give your body important antioxidants that can help buildstronger cells and improve your overall health and well being.

Here are a few ways that you can use coconut products to stave offdisease and to recapture the look and feeling of youth:

Coconut Water - The coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost9 months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored withinits shell. This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure andsterile, which is one reason why it can be used for bloodtransfusions.

Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highestconcentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. Thismakes it an excellent source of hydration.

Coconut Oil - In addition to being superior for cooking and baking,coconut oil also makes a superb topical oil that can help to naturallyrid the skin of dangerous toxins. It also gives the skin the perfectmix of hydration and antioxidants that it needs to stay healthy,smooth and younger-looking longer.

Another great benefit of coconut oil is in protecting your teeth fromthe bacteria that can cause cavities and disease. Simply rubbing alittle fresh coconut oil on your gums and teeth can keep them strongerand healthier than virtually any other dental treatment.

Most people don't realize that coconut oil can actually help you loseweight! Yes, simply changing your cooking oil from the unsaturated fatvariety to coconut oil can help you lose those extra pounds. Here'swhy: Unsaturated fats found in canola, corn and other vegetables oils,as well as margarine suppress the metabolism, which makes it harder tolose weight -- and easier to gain it. Over time, this metabolismsuppression may result in 20-30 pounds of excess weight that your bodycannot get rid of. Coconut oil, on the other hand, helps to increasethyroid function and boost your metabolism -- 2 important componentsto shedding unwanted pounds.Coconut Cream - The best skin treatment product one can use to achieveflawless skin may quite possibly be coconut cream. Unlike traditionalskin creams which can actually introduce fats and oils to the skinthat will break it down over time, making it look older, creamsderived from the coconut can actually replenish the skin, giving it amore youthful and healthy glow than most other skin care products onthe market.

When it comes to buying coconut products, coconuts are not all createdequal. Wild coconuts are always best, but can be hard to obtain if youdon't live in a tropical country. Whether you are using this wonderfood to boost your immune system; increase your metabolism or fightwrinkles, using products from young coconuts will help you reap themost benefit.

Young coconuts contain the purest unsaturated fat, compared to the fatfound in the more mature varieties. This is why they offer the mostrejuvenation properties for the body's tissues. But how can you tellhow old a coconut is? Young coconuts are usually green in color andoddly shaped. The brown hairy ones are mature coconuts, and while theyoffer a lot of healthy benefits, they aren't nearly as good for you asyounger varieties.

The best place to find young fresh coconuts is, of course, in themarkets of the tropics, so be sure to seek them out if you travel tothose areas. Coconut-producing regions export coconuts all over theworld, however, so it's relatively easy to find coconuts at your localhealth food store or Asian grocer.